I. Kostas - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by I. Kostas

Hand Surgery and Rehabilitation, Nov 30, 2023

Hand Surgery and Rehabilitation, Nov 30, 2023

Hand Clinics, 2013

In the setting of flexor tendon injury, if favorable conditions for reconstruction in a single st... more In the setting of flexor tendon injury, if favorable conditions for reconstruction in a single stage are not present, a staged reconstruction may be considered. The modified Paneva-Holevich technique, using a pedicled intra-synovial graft, is a safe and reliable means of staged flexor tendon reconstruction, offering a number of theoretical advantages over conventional free-tendon grafting techniques. Although no directly comparative studies exist, clinical outcomes following the Modified Paneva-Holevich Technique appear equivalent, if not superior to those achieved following classic free tendon grafting techniques.

Microsurgery, 2010

Osteonecrosis of the femoral head is a disease in which bone death occurs and usually progresses ... more Osteonecrosis of the femoral head is a disease in which bone death occurs and usually progresses to articular incongruity and subsequent osteoarthritis. To delay the process of the disease and the conversion to total hip arthroplasty, many surgical techniques have been described. Core decompression, nonvascularized autologous bone grafts, porous tantalum implant procedure, and various osteotomies have been used for the management of early precollapse stage osteonecrosis of the femoral head. However, none of these procedures is neither entirely effective nor can obtain predictable results. With the progress of microsurgery, the implantation of a free vascularized fibula graft to the necrotic femoral head has provided the most consistently successful results. Although the procedure is technically demanding, there is growing recognition that the use of free vascularized fibula graft may improve patient quality of life by functional improvement and pain alleviation. The success of the procedure is related to decompression of the femoral head, excision of the necrotic bone, and addition of cancellous bone graft with osteoinductive and osteoconductive properties, which augments revascularization and neoosteogenesis of the femoral head. Free vascularized fibula graft, especially in younger patients, is a salvaging procedure of the necrotic femoral head in early precollapse stages. In postcollapse osteonecrosis, the procedure appears to delay the need for total hip arthroplasty in the majority of patients. The purpose of this review article is to update knowledge about treatment strategies in femoral head osteonecrosis and to compare free vascularized fibula grafting to traditional and new treatment modalities.

World journal of orthopedics, Jan 18, 2013

Intercostal nerve transfer is a valuable procedure in devastating plexopathies. Intercostal nerve... more Intercostal nerve transfer is a valuable procedure in devastating plexopathies. Intercostal nerves are a very good choice for elbow flexion or extension and shoulder abduction when the intraplexus donor nerves are not available. The best results are obtained in obstetric brachial plexus palsy patients, when direct nerve transfer is performed within six months from the injury. Unlike the adult posttraumatic patients after median and ulnar nerve neurotization with intercostal nerves, almost all obstetric brachial plexus palsy patients achieve protective sensation in the hand and some of them achieve active wrist and finger flexion. Use in combination with proper muscles, intercostal nerve transfer can yield adequate power to the paretic upper limb. Reinnervation of native muscles (i.e., latissimus dorsi) should always be sought as they can successfully be transferred later on for further functional restoration.

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2007

Background: Limited availability of donor nerve grafts along with donor-site morbidity has stimul... more Background: Limited availability of donor nerve grafts along with donor-site morbidity has stimulated research toward other alternatives for the repair of severe nerve injuries. The authors provide a comprehensive review of "tubulization" biology and share with the readers their experience with two cases of obstetrical brachial plexus paralysis where they used vein grafts with "minced" nerve tissue, to accomplish connectivity of proximal donors with distal targets. Usage of vascular tissue as conduits for nerve regeneration was first reported more than 100 years ago. It has been suggested that the vein's wall allows diffusion of the proper nutrients for nerve regeneration, acts as a barrier against ingrowth of scar, and prevents wastage of regenerating axons. Methods: In this report, vein grafts of 2.4, 3.5, and 22 cm in length filled with minced peripheral nerve tissue were used as bridges in two cases of obstetrical brachial plexus paralysis. Results: By filling the vein lumen with small pieces of nerve tissue suspended in a heparinized saline solution, a potential problem associated with vein collapse caused by compression was solved. Conclusion: The authors suggest that tubulization techniques should be kept in mind in clinical practice when autologous nerve grafts are insufficient for distal target connectivity or as an alternative to conventional nerve grafts for bridging certain nerve defects.

World Journal of Orthopedics

Injury, 2021

Soft tissue defect coverage has always been a challenge for the orthopaedic surgeon. Over the las... more Soft tissue defect coverage has always been a challenge for the orthopaedic surgeon. Over the last decades the surgery of flaps has completely changed the prognosis for large defects. The purpose of this study is to retrospectively review our experience with the gastrocnemius muscle as pedicled local flaps for reconstruction of knee and upper third of the tibia soft tissue defects. Twenty-seven patients underwent reconstruction of soft tissue defects around the knee using pedicled gastrocnemius muscle flaps. There were eighteen men and nine women ranged in with a mean age of 50.3 years. Medial gastrocnemius was used in 21 cases, and lateral gastrocnemius in 5 cases. In one patient, soleus and medial gastrocnemius were transferred simultaneously. All but one had at the same time split thickness skin graft for coverage of the muscle. All muscle flaps transferred were successful. There were no complications and all flaps survived completely without vascular compromise, satisfactory coverage of the defect, and good primary wound healing. There has been no recurrence of osteomyelitis. The donor sites healed perfectly with no remarkable resultant functional disability. A mean follow-up of 4.4 years revealed acceptable cosmetic results with high patient satisfaction. Our results indicate that the gastrocnemius muscle transfer is a useful technique for coverage of soft tissue defects in the upper tibia and around the knee in our orthopaedic practice. It is a reliable option for the coverage of exposed bone, the filling up of deep cavities and the treatment of bone infection. The principal advantage of a muscle flap is to bring a real blood supply to the recipient site and to improve the trophicity of the surrounding tissues. The pedicled muscle flap is our preference for the management of soft tissue defects around the knee, when no other procedure, apart from free flap is suitable. The pedicle flap is easier, quicker and with less complications than a free flap. Orthopaedic surgery has gained much from the use of island flap, however, it requires knowledge of the vascular anatomy and its variations promoted through cadaveric dissections and flap dissection courses.

Objective: To report a case of Granulomatous Slack Skin with an unusually aggressive course. Clin... more Objective: To report a case of Granulomatous Slack Skin with an unusually aggressive course. Clinical Presentation and histopathology: The patient presented with soft tissue masses accompanied by pendulous lax skin in the upper thighs and the left inguinal region. The clinical findings and the dermal infiltration by CD3+/CD4+ small lymphoid cells led to the diagnosis of Granulomatous Slack Skin. Three years later the bone marrow was infiltrated by a CD30+ Large Cell Lymphoma which resulted in patient’s death. Conclusion: This case of Granulomatous Slack Skin presents a fatal course due to the development of a CD30+ Large Cell Lymphoma.

Injury, 2020

Neonatal brachial plexus palsy remains a problem, even in light of current advances in perinatal ... more Neonatal brachial plexus palsy remains a problem, even in light of current advances in perinatal care. While many cases resolve spontaneously, the concern remains on the best means of surgical management for restoration of elbow flexion and shoulder reanimation. The present experimental study in an animal model examines the evidence that supports that neonatal brachial plexus injuries result in structural changes in the affected bone. The study suggests that if the microsurgical reinnervation takes place early enough, these changes may be diminished. On the other hand there is no way to identify at birth, which injuries will be permanent and will need surgical repair and which will spontaneously improve.

Injury, 2020

A proposed microsurgical training program is presented that includes all the existing training me... more A proposed microsurgical training program is presented that includes all the existing training methods, such as simulation in nonliving models, virtual reality simulation system and exercise in living models. Our experience in microsurgery training over the last decades indicates the need of evolution in training programs. This can be achieved with the introduction of new technologies into education and training. The first primary results of the described training program are promising, however this system needs to be assessed by training greater number of microsurgeons. Furthermore, more complex scenarios (such as whole operations) should be inserted into the virtual reality simulation system to create a more interactive experience.

Injury, 2019

The aim of the present study is to present the long-term efficacy of the graft of the distal radi... more The aim of the present study is to present the long-term efficacy of the graft of the distal radius based on the 1,2 intercompartmental supraretinacular artery (1,2 ICSRA) for the treatment of scaphoid nonunion with a proposed treatment of double stabilization with Kirschner wires and external fixator. Methods: Between 2007 and 2013 we retrospectively reviewed 11 patients who were operated for established scaphoid nonunion with pedicled vascularized distal radius graft based on the 1,2 ICSRA in our department. Stabilization of the graft was achieved with Kirschner wires and the wrist was immobilized with a transarticular external fixator. All patients were evaluated pre-and post-operatively both clinically and radiologically. The DASH score was also completed by the patients before and after the operation. The minimum follow-up of the patients was 5 years. Results: The mean age of the patients was 28.64 years (range, 18-49 years). Ten patients were males (90.91%) and one female (9.09%). In all patients, union was achieved. The mean time of union was 11.2 weeks (range, 8-18 weeks). The mean follow-up was 61.32 months (range, 60-72 months). Compared to the contralateral hand there was noticed 14 o lack in flexion and 18 o in extension. The mean DASH score showed also significant improvement from 23.1 (range, 9.4-50.6) preoperatively to 4.72 (range, 0-22.8) during the last follow-up. Conclusion: The 1,2 ICSRA distal radius graft consists a trustworthy pedicled vascularized graft for the treatment of nonunion presenting very promising long-term outcomes.

European Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery & Traumatology, 2019

Introduction Intraneural cysts usually involve the common peroneal nerve, and in many cases, they... more Introduction Intraneural cysts usually involve the common peroneal nerve, and in many cases, they are causing symptoms due to neural compression. It is hypothesized that these cysts originate from the adjacent joints while articular pathology is a major contributing factor for the formation of these lesions. Although ulnar nerve is the second most commonly affected nerve, these lesions usually develop distally at the Guyon tunnel, so cubital tunnel syndrome due to epineural cysts is very rare. In such cases, elaborate preoperative work-up is mandatory and surgical treatment should follow certain well-defined principles. Case description A 60-year-old female patient presented with complaints of pain along the medial side of her elbow, forearm and hand and a tingling sensation in the same distribution for the past 2 months. The patient had sustained an injury 15 years ago, and a distal humerus fracture was diagnosed at that time. Radiological signs of posttraumatic elbow arthritis were evident at the initial evaluation. The patient was diagnosed with cubital tunnel syndrome which was further confirmed by nerve conduction studies, and she underwent surgical decompression of the nerve. During surgery, intraneural cysts were identified and addressed by excision, while dissection of the articular branch of the nerve was also performed. Pain and numbness subsided shortly after surgery, while the patient remained free of symptoms until the last follow-up.

Journal of Orthopaedics, 2019

There are several factors which affect bone growth. One of them is the peripheralnervous system w... more There are several factors which affect bone growth. One of them is the peripheralnervous system whose effect on the biomechanics has not been extensively studied. The purpose of this study is to assess the effect of peripheral nervous system in bone biomechanics in an experimental rat model. Materials & methods: 27 male Wistar rats were used. In all animals, the roots of the right brachial plexus were dissected and after that the animals were divided into three groups A, B and C. The animals were sacrificed six, nine, and twelve months respectively after the denervation. Both humerus were resected and biomechanical analysis was performed. Results: According to the findings of the present study the denervated bones sustain less loading before fracture and they become also more elastic. Additionally, in greater time after denervation plastic deformity is noticed. Conclusion: Apart from structural changes, the peripheral nerves are responsible for biomechanic changes in the bones such the greater elasticity of the bone and the reduced strength

European Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery & Traumatology, 2018

Introduction Soft tissue defects of foot and ankle are challenging due to the susceptibility of t... more Introduction Soft tissue defects of foot and ankle are challenging due to the susceptibility of the area to trauma and the complexity of the region. Several flaps have been described for wound coverage after surgical debridement at this location. The purpose of this study is to present the reverse sural flap for covering soft tissue defects at the ankle and foot. Materials and methods From July 2014 to November 2017, ten patients with soft tissue defect at the ankle and foot were retrospectively reviewed. There were nine men and one woman with a mean age of 40.5 years (range 17-71 years). Seven patients were smokers and five were diabetics. The mean size of the defect was 50.5 cm 2. All operations were performed by the same microsurgical team. At a mean follow-up of 21 months (range, 18 to 24 months), we evaluated wound healing and complications. Results In nine patients, the soft tissue defect was successfully covered. In four patients, venous congestion was noticed, whereas in one patient, there was total necrosis of the flap. In all cases, the donor site was healed uneventfully. Conclusion The reverse sural artery flap is a reliable alternative for wound coverage at the ankle and foot, with low complication and morbidity rate. Nevertheless, it is a demanding microsurgical operation that requires knowledge of the anatomy and surgeons' experience.

European Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery & Traumatology, 2019

Neonatal brachial plexus palsy is a devastating complication after a difficult delivery. The inci... more Neonatal brachial plexus palsy is a devastating complication after a difficult delivery. The incidence of this injury has not significantly decreased over the past decades, despite all the advances in perinatal care. Although primary repair of the nerves with microsurgical techniques is the common treatment strategy nowadays, there are late cases in which secondary procedures in tendons or bones are necessary. Moreover, secondary procedures may be needed to improve the results of primary repair. A careful preoperative assessment of all the residual defects and deformities in upper limbs of these patients is essential. The aim of these procedures is usually to restore the deficient shoulder abduction and external rotation, release of any elbow flexion contracture or to correct a weak elbow flexion. More distally a supination or pronation deformity is usually apparent, and available options include tendon transfers or radial osteotomy. The wrist of these patients may be ulnarly deviated or may has absent extension, so tendon transfers or free muscle transfers can also be used for correction of these deformities. In severe cases, wrist fusion is an alternative option. The clinical presentation of the hand is highly variable due to complex deformities including thumb adduction deformity, metacarpophalangeal joints drop, and weak finger flexion or extension depending on the level of the injury. Each of these deformities can be restored with a combination of soft tissue procedures like local or free muscle transfer and bony procedures like arthrodesis.

European Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery & Traumatology, 2018

The injuries of the peripheral nerves are relatively frequent. Some of them may lead to defects w... more The injuries of the peripheral nerves are relatively frequent. Some of them may lead to defects which cannot be repaired with direct end-to-end repair without tension. These injuries may cause function loss to the patient, and they consist a challenge for the treating microsurgeon. Autologous nerve grafts remain the gold standard for bridging the peripheral nerve defects. Nevertheless, there are selected cases where alternative types of nerve reconstruction can be performed in order to cover the peripheral nerve defects. In all these types of reconstruction, the basic principles of microsurgery are necessary and the surgeon should be aware of them in order to achieve a successful reconstruction. The purpose of the present review was to present the most current data concerning the surgical options available for bridging such defects.

Hand Surgery and Rehabilitation, Nov 30, 2023

Hand Surgery and Rehabilitation, Nov 30, 2023

Hand Clinics, 2013

In the setting of flexor tendon injury, if favorable conditions for reconstruction in a single st... more In the setting of flexor tendon injury, if favorable conditions for reconstruction in a single stage are not present, a staged reconstruction may be considered. The modified Paneva-Holevich technique, using a pedicled intra-synovial graft, is a safe and reliable means of staged flexor tendon reconstruction, offering a number of theoretical advantages over conventional free-tendon grafting techniques. Although no directly comparative studies exist, clinical outcomes following the Modified Paneva-Holevich Technique appear equivalent, if not superior to those achieved following classic free tendon grafting techniques.

Microsurgery, 2010

Osteonecrosis of the femoral head is a disease in which bone death occurs and usually progresses ... more Osteonecrosis of the femoral head is a disease in which bone death occurs and usually progresses to articular incongruity and subsequent osteoarthritis. To delay the process of the disease and the conversion to total hip arthroplasty, many surgical techniques have been described. Core decompression, nonvascularized autologous bone grafts, porous tantalum implant procedure, and various osteotomies have been used for the management of early precollapse stage osteonecrosis of the femoral head. However, none of these procedures is neither entirely effective nor can obtain predictable results. With the progress of microsurgery, the implantation of a free vascularized fibula graft to the necrotic femoral head has provided the most consistently successful results. Although the procedure is technically demanding, there is growing recognition that the use of free vascularized fibula graft may improve patient quality of life by functional improvement and pain alleviation. The success of the procedure is related to decompression of the femoral head, excision of the necrotic bone, and addition of cancellous bone graft with osteoinductive and osteoconductive properties, which augments revascularization and neoosteogenesis of the femoral head. Free vascularized fibula graft, especially in younger patients, is a salvaging procedure of the necrotic femoral head in early precollapse stages. In postcollapse osteonecrosis, the procedure appears to delay the need for total hip arthroplasty in the majority of patients. The purpose of this review article is to update knowledge about treatment strategies in femoral head osteonecrosis and to compare free vascularized fibula grafting to traditional and new treatment modalities.

World journal of orthopedics, Jan 18, 2013

Intercostal nerve transfer is a valuable procedure in devastating plexopathies. Intercostal nerve... more Intercostal nerve transfer is a valuable procedure in devastating plexopathies. Intercostal nerves are a very good choice for elbow flexion or extension and shoulder abduction when the intraplexus donor nerves are not available. The best results are obtained in obstetric brachial plexus palsy patients, when direct nerve transfer is performed within six months from the injury. Unlike the adult posttraumatic patients after median and ulnar nerve neurotization with intercostal nerves, almost all obstetric brachial plexus palsy patients achieve protective sensation in the hand and some of them achieve active wrist and finger flexion. Use in combination with proper muscles, intercostal nerve transfer can yield adequate power to the paretic upper limb. Reinnervation of native muscles (i.e., latissimus dorsi) should always be sought as they can successfully be transferred later on for further functional restoration.

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2007

Background: Limited availability of donor nerve grafts along with donor-site morbidity has stimul... more Background: Limited availability of donor nerve grafts along with donor-site morbidity has stimulated research toward other alternatives for the repair of severe nerve injuries. The authors provide a comprehensive review of "tubulization" biology and share with the readers their experience with two cases of obstetrical brachial plexus paralysis where they used vein grafts with "minced" nerve tissue, to accomplish connectivity of proximal donors with distal targets. Usage of vascular tissue as conduits for nerve regeneration was first reported more than 100 years ago. It has been suggested that the vein's wall allows diffusion of the proper nutrients for nerve regeneration, acts as a barrier against ingrowth of scar, and prevents wastage of regenerating axons. Methods: In this report, vein grafts of 2.4, 3.5, and 22 cm in length filled with minced peripheral nerve tissue were used as bridges in two cases of obstetrical brachial plexus paralysis. Results: By filling the vein lumen with small pieces of nerve tissue suspended in a heparinized saline solution, a potential problem associated with vein collapse caused by compression was solved. Conclusion: The authors suggest that tubulization techniques should be kept in mind in clinical practice when autologous nerve grafts are insufficient for distal target connectivity or as an alternative to conventional nerve grafts for bridging certain nerve defects.

World Journal of Orthopedics

Injury, 2021

Soft tissue defect coverage has always been a challenge for the orthopaedic surgeon. Over the las... more Soft tissue defect coverage has always been a challenge for the orthopaedic surgeon. Over the last decades the surgery of flaps has completely changed the prognosis for large defects. The purpose of this study is to retrospectively review our experience with the gastrocnemius muscle as pedicled local flaps for reconstruction of knee and upper third of the tibia soft tissue defects. Twenty-seven patients underwent reconstruction of soft tissue defects around the knee using pedicled gastrocnemius muscle flaps. There were eighteen men and nine women ranged in with a mean age of 50.3 years. Medial gastrocnemius was used in 21 cases, and lateral gastrocnemius in 5 cases. In one patient, soleus and medial gastrocnemius were transferred simultaneously. All but one had at the same time split thickness skin graft for coverage of the muscle. All muscle flaps transferred were successful. There were no complications and all flaps survived completely without vascular compromise, satisfactory coverage of the defect, and good primary wound healing. There has been no recurrence of osteomyelitis. The donor sites healed perfectly with no remarkable resultant functional disability. A mean follow-up of 4.4 years revealed acceptable cosmetic results with high patient satisfaction. Our results indicate that the gastrocnemius muscle transfer is a useful technique for coverage of soft tissue defects in the upper tibia and around the knee in our orthopaedic practice. It is a reliable option for the coverage of exposed bone, the filling up of deep cavities and the treatment of bone infection. The principal advantage of a muscle flap is to bring a real blood supply to the recipient site and to improve the trophicity of the surrounding tissues. The pedicled muscle flap is our preference for the management of soft tissue defects around the knee, when no other procedure, apart from free flap is suitable. The pedicle flap is easier, quicker and with less complications than a free flap. Orthopaedic surgery has gained much from the use of island flap, however, it requires knowledge of the vascular anatomy and its variations promoted through cadaveric dissections and flap dissection courses.

Objective: To report a case of Granulomatous Slack Skin with an unusually aggressive course. Clin... more Objective: To report a case of Granulomatous Slack Skin with an unusually aggressive course. Clinical Presentation and histopathology: The patient presented with soft tissue masses accompanied by pendulous lax skin in the upper thighs and the left inguinal region. The clinical findings and the dermal infiltration by CD3+/CD4+ small lymphoid cells led to the diagnosis of Granulomatous Slack Skin. Three years later the bone marrow was infiltrated by a CD30+ Large Cell Lymphoma which resulted in patient’s death. Conclusion: This case of Granulomatous Slack Skin presents a fatal course due to the development of a CD30+ Large Cell Lymphoma.

Injury, 2020

Neonatal brachial plexus palsy remains a problem, even in light of current advances in perinatal ... more Neonatal brachial plexus palsy remains a problem, even in light of current advances in perinatal care. While many cases resolve spontaneously, the concern remains on the best means of surgical management for restoration of elbow flexion and shoulder reanimation. The present experimental study in an animal model examines the evidence that supports that neonatal brachial plexus injuries result in structural changes in the affected bone. The study suggests that if the microsurgical reinnervation takes place early enough, these changes may be diminished. On the other hand there is no way to identify at birth, which injuries will be permanent and will need surgical repair and which will spontaneously improve.

Injury, 2020

A proposed microsurgical training program is presented that includes all the existing training me... more A proposed microsurgical training program is presented that includes all the existing training methods, such as simulation in nonliving models, virtual reality simulation system and exercise in living models. Our experience in microsurgery training over the last decades indicates the need of evolution in training programs. This can be achieved with the introduction of new technologies into education and training. The first primary results of the described training program are promising, however this system needs to be assessed by training greater number of microsurgeons. Furthermore, more complex scenarios (such as whole operations) should be inserted into the virtual reality simulation system to create a more interactive experience.

Injury, 2019

The aim of the present study is to present the long-term efficacy of the graft of the distal radi... more The aim of the present study is to present the long-term efficacy of the graft of the distal radius based on the 1,2 intercompartmental supraretinacular artery (1,2 ICSRA) for the treatment of scaphoid nonunion with a proposed treatment of double stabilization with Kirschner wires and external fixator. Methods: Between 2007 and 2013 we retrospectively reviewed 11 patients who were operated for established scaphoid nonunion with pedicled vascularized distal radius graft based on the 1,2 ICSRA in our department. Stabilization of the graft was achieved with Kirschner wires and the wrist was immobilized with a transarticular external fixator. All patients were evaluated pre-and post-operatively both clinically and radiologically. The DASH score was also completed by the patients before and after the operation. The minimum follow-up of the patients was 5 years. Results: The mean age of the patients was 28.64 years (range, 18-49 years). Ten patients were males (90.91%) and one female (9.09%). In all patients, union was achieved. The mean time of union was 11.2 weeks (range, 8-18 weeks). The mean follow-up was 61.32 months (range, 60-72 months). Compared to the contralateral hand there was noticed 14 o lack in flexion and 18 o in extension. The mean DASH score showed also significant improvement from 23.1 (range, 9.4-50.6) preoperatively to 4.72 (range, 0-22.8) during the last follow-up. Conclusion: The 1,2 ICSRA distal radius graft consists a trustworthy pedicled vascularized graft for the treatment of nonunion presenting very promising long-term outcomes.

European Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery & Traumatology, 2019

Introduction Intraneural cysts usually involve the common peroneal nerve, and in many cases, they... more Introduction Intraneural cysts usually involve the common peroneal nerve, and in many cases, they are causing symptoms due to neural compression. It is hypothesized that these cysts originate from the adjacent joints while articular pathology is a major contributing factor for the formation of these lesions. Although ulnar nerve is the second most commonly affected nerve, these lesions usually develop distally at the Guyon tunnel, so cubital tunnel syndrome due to epineural cysts is very rare. In such cases, elaborate preoperative work-up is mandatory and surgical treatment should follow certain well-defined principles. Case description A 60-year-old female patient presented with complaints of pain along the medial side of her elbow, forearm and hand and a tingling sensation in the same distribution for the past 2 months. The patient had sustained an injury 15 years ago, and a distal humerus fracture was diagnosed at that time. Radiological signs of posttraumatic elbow arthritis were evident at the initial evaluation. The patient was diagnosed with cubital tunnel syndrome which was further confirmed by nerve conduction studies, and she underwent surgical decompression of the nerve. During surgery, intraneural cysts were identified and addressed by excision, while dissection of the articular branch of the nerve was also performed. Pain and numbness subsided shortly after surgery, while the patient remained free of symptoms until the last follow-up.

Journal of Orthopaedics, 2019

There are several factors which affect bone growth. One of them is the peripheralnervous system w... more There are several factors which affect bone growth. One of them is the peripheralnervous system whose effect on the biomechanics has not been extensively studied. The purpose of this study is to assess the effect of peripheral nervous system in bone biomechanics in an experimental rat model. Materials & methods: 27 male Wistar rats were used. In all animals, the roots of the right brachial plexus were dissected and after that the animals were divided into three groups A, B and C. The animals were sacrificed six, nine, and twelve months respectively after the denervation. Both humerus were resected and biomechanical analysis was performed. Results: According to the findings of the present study the denervated bones sustain less loading before fracture and they become also more elastic. Additionally, in greater time after denervation plastic deformity is noticed. Conclusion: Apart from structural changes, the peripheral nerves are responsible for biomechanic changes in the bones such the greater elasticity of the bone and the reduced strength

European Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery & Traumatology, 2018

Introduction Soft tissue defects of foot and ankle are challenging due to the susceptibility of t... more Introduction Soft tissue defects of foot and ankle are challenging due to the susceptibility of the area to trauma and the complexity of the region. Several flaps have been described for wound coverage after surgical debridement at this location. The purpose of this study is to present the reverse sural flap for covering soft tissue defects at the ankle and foot. Materials and methods From July 2014 to November 2017, ten patients with soft tissue defect at the ankle and foot were retrospectively reviewed. There were nine men and one woman with a mean age of 40.5 years (range 17-71 years). Seven patients were smokers and five were diabetics. The mean size of the defect was 50.5 cm 2. All operations were performed by the same microsurgical team. At a mean follow-up of 21 months (range, 18 to 24 months), we evaluated wound healing and complications. Results In nine patients, the soft tissue defect was successfully covered. In four patients, venous congestion was noticed, whereas in one patient, there was total necrosis of the flap. In all cases, the donor site was healed uneventfully. Conclusion The reverse sural artery flap is a reliable alternative for wound coverage at the ankle and foot, with low complication and morbidity rate. Nevertheless, it is a demanding microsurgical operation that requires knowledge of the anatomy and surgeons' experience.

European Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery & Traumatology, 2019

Neonatal brachial plexus palsy is a devastating complication after a difficult delivery. The inci... more Neonatal brachial plexus palsy is a devastating complication after a difficult delivery. The incidence of this injury has not significantly decreased over the past decades, despite all the advances in perinatal care. Although primary repair of the nerves with microsurgical techniques is the common treatment strategy nowadays, there are late cases in which secondary procedures in tendons or bones are necessary. Moreover, secondary procedures may be needed to improve the results of primary repair. A careful preoperative assessment of all the residual defects and deformities in upper limbs of these patients is essential. The aim of these procedures is usually to restore the deficient shoulder abduction and external rotation, release of any elbow flexion contracture or to correct a weak elbow flexion. More distally a supination or pronation deformity is usually apparent, and available options include tendon transfers or radial osteotomy. The wrist of these patients may be ulnarly deviated or may has absent extension, so tendon transfers or free muscle transfers can also be used for correction of these deformities. In severe cases, wrist fusion is an alternative option. The clinical presentation of the hand is highly variable due to complex deformities including thumb adduction deformity, metacarpophalangeal joints drop, and weak finger flexion or extension depending on the level of the injury. Each of these deformities can be restored with a combination of soft tissue procedures like local or free muscle transfer and bony procedures like arthrodesis.

European Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery & Traumatology, 2018

The injuries of the peripheral nerves are relatively frequent. Some of them may lead to defects w... more The injuries of the peripheral nerves are relatively frequent. Some of them may lead to defects which cannot be repaired with direct end-to-end repair without tension. These injuries may cause function loss to the patient, and they consist a challenge for the treating microsurgeon. Autologous nerve grafts remain the gold standard for bridging the peripheral nerve defects. Nevertheless, there are selected cases where alternative types of nerve reconstruction can be performed in order to cover the peripheral nerve defects. In all these types of reconstruction, the basic principles of microsurgery are necessary and the surgeon should be aware of them in order to achieve a successful reconstruction. The purpose of the present review was to present the most current data concerning the surgical options available for bridging such defects.